DuPont Nutrition & Biosciences has debuted its naturally sourced Grindsted Gellan VEG 200 stabilizer, which it says enables high performance results of innovative plant-based and vegan beverages.

Since 2014, the company notes, the number of new vegan products has increased by 35%, with beverages as one of the highest growing categories globally.

With six out of ten U.S. consumers increasing their consumption of plant-based foods and beverages in their daily diet, so called “alternatives” are becoming mainstream.

Dietary preferences shifting towards plant-based options is becoming more prevalent, and personal health is the key driver of change, the company adds. In the DuPont-sponsored study conducted by HealthFocus, 42%of respondents said that they prefer more plant-based foods in their daily diet and more than half of all consumers said that it “makes me feel healthier.” Also, the environmental component of this dietary shift is not negligible, as three out of four Millennials are willing to spend more on ethical products.

Grindsted Gellan VEG 200, the company claims, advances plant-based and vegan beverages to fit the most demanding consumer expectations. Plant-based/vegan claim, health profile, clean label, premium taste and texture are, it says, the most desired features of innovative products in this category.

“Produced by bacteria during fermentation of renewable, bio-based raw materials, Gellan VEG 200 is a purely natural solution. It provides excellent stability and particle suspension and minimal contribution to mouthfeel,” said Lise Stouby, Senior Scientist, DuPont Nutrition & Biosciences.

Grindsted Gellan VEG 200 is said to be suitable for a wide range of plant-sourced raw materials, and have low protein reactivity and high performance across a broad pH range. Added directly into the mix, Gellan VEG 200 delivers a stabilizing network throughout the shelf life to maintain a homogenous and stable final product.

“We are proud to launch a product that answers critical manufacturers’ needs – ease of formulation and production. Starting today, it’s available worldwide,” said Kirsten Braüner Nygaard, Business Development Manager, DuPont Nutrition & Biosciences.